The Dallas Wings are all set to move to the $420 million American Airlines Center, home of the Dallas Mavericks, ahead of the 2027 WNBA season. As the team’s fanbase continues to grow, this decision seems like the right move, especially since Paige Bueckers has helped the team make a massive turnaround this season. However, WNBA legend Candace Parker is a little hesitant about what the move could mean for the Wings’ home-court advantage.

“Dallas Wings, speaking of which, they’re moving arenas. They will play in American Airlines Center for the 2027 season – same as the Dallas Mavericks. So, moving from Arlington to Dallas will increase capacity from 6,300 to 20,000,” she said during the August 5 episode of Post Moves.

“Good for fan attendance, good for growth of franchise, all of those things. My only hesitation is they almost had a cheat code. To me, I feel like it’s almost like Cameron Indoor Stadium. Playing in Dallas was hard. It’s rowdy. They fill up the place,” Parker said, recalling her own experience playing in front of the intimidating Dallas crowd.

According to ESPN, construction on the American Airlines Center began in 1999, cost around $420 million to complete, and besides the Mavericks, is also home to the NHL’s Dallas Stars. While this move will undoubtedly provide better facilities for the Wings, the AAC can accommodate around 20,000 fans compared to the 6,251 seats at College Park Center, and Candace Parker’s hesitation stems from exactly that.

A larger arena could change the atmosphere that made the Wings’ current home court so difficult for opponents, where fans sit much closer to the court and create an intense environment during home games. And while that’s a genuine concern, recent attendance numbers suggest the move could still work in Dallas’ favor.

When the Wings hosted the Indiana Fever at American Airlines Center on June 27, 2025, they sold out the arena as 20,409 fans showed up to watch the matchup despite Caitlin Clark’s absence. Then, when Dallas faced the Chicago Sky on July 12 this season, the franchise once again drew more than 13,000 fans.

The Wings still have two more games scheduled at American Airlines Center this season. First against the Golden State Valkyries on August 7 and then second against the Indiana Fever on August 20. So while Parker may have reservations about the impact on Dallas’ home-court advantage, the organization appears confident the move is the right step forward, and the players seem to agree.

“We’re the Dallas Wings, at the end of the day. We’re not the Arlington Wings,” guard Arike Ogunbowale said in a conversation with Myah Taylor. “Being actually in the city, in the culture, that’s going to be really good.”

But it is worth noting that the AAC won’t be the franchise’s final destination. Another major reason for the move is that their 10,000-seat capacity Dallas Memorial Auditorium, which is under renovation, has faced construction delays.

The Wings had signed a 15-year agreement with the city in 2024 to renovate the arena. However, these delays have forced them to consider the AAC. Meanwhile, the Wings are also waiting to move into a $55 million training facility next April. The team would hope they don’t face any delays there.